SDO15632 - Former Bridport Literary and Scientific Institute, 51 East Street, Bridport, Dorset. Historic Building Recording and Archaeological Monitoring and Recording

‘Context One Heritage and Archaeology (C1) carried out a programme of historic building recording and archaeological monitoring and recording at the Grade II* Listed former Bridport Literary and Scientific Institute, 51 East Street, Bridport, Dorset. The project was commissioned by Mr Paul Richold (Architecton) on behalf of the Bridport Area Development Trust, and funded by the Heritage Lottery. The building recording and monitoring programme were required as a condition of planning consent (West Dorset District Council LBC application ref. WD/D/14/001182) in mitigation of the ‘Repair, alteration and extension of Bridport Literary and Scientific Institute building to form a café with ancillary facilities, workspace/hub, training facilities, business space, and meeting areas for community use’. The renovation project provided an opportunity to reverse some of the effects caused by the various uses of the building since it ceased being the Literary and Scientific Institute in the late 19th century, so that the interior more closely resembles its Victorian layout and design. Observations confirm the previous opinion that the building is good quality but not outstanding, probably designed by a local builder/ architect but inspired by fashionable classical architecture of the period (Baxter 2013, 22). The Institute replaced a longer building on the same plot for which no structural evidence remains, except perhaps one wall outside of the Institute. The North Building formed part of the late 19th century Art School. Despite the alterations carried out as the building acquired new functions, particularly when it changed from being the Mechanics Institute to the Literary and Scientific Institute in 1865, it remains a fine example of a Victorian public building.’